On to the Derby - Tutukaka Impresses in the Geelong Classic

Mark Smith - Wednesday October 20

All roads lead to Flemington for $2million Group 1 Victoria Derby for Melody Belle's half-brother Tutukaka following his win Wednesday’s $200,000 Listed Geelong Classic (2200m).

Tutukaka captures the Geelong Classic (Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

Given a patient ride by Damian Lane, the Tony Pike-trained gelding came with a sweeping run from near the tail of the field after Grinzinger King had the field spread out by over 15 lengths in the middle stages.

Godolphin’s Teofilo colt Character took the lead shortly after turning for home. He tries to rally when tackled by Tutukaka but the Tavistock gelding had all the momentum and went on to win by three-quarters of a length.

The Exosphere gelding Phere The Ex was two and a half lengths back in third.

The winner of the Listed Tattersalls Life Member Stakes (1830m) at Eagle Farm last season at two, Tutukaka advances his record to two wins, two seconds, and a third from seven starts with earnings of $223,063.

At his most recent start, Tutukaka made the running when fifth in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington.

“He led up at a strong tempo with the blinkers and he was still a bit fresh last start. That run really brought him on,” Lane said.

“Credit to Tony Pike, he’s such a good trainer of these young stayers. Big thanks to Tony Noonan and his staff that are looking after him. He was really good today.

“I just thought (the pace) was perfect. When Tony said that we wanted to ride him a bit quieter I knew we wanted to ride him behind the speed and didn’t want to be doing the donkey work. But I thought it might have been the wrong day to do it.

“I didn’t think there’d be much tempo on paper and lucky for us it worked out that there was strong tempo and that was always going to suit this horse - a genuinely run 2200 metres. He was obviously strongest late.”

Advertisement

Tony Noonan said that Pike had entrusted him with looking after the son of Tavistock.

“I’ve been good mates with Tony (Pike) and known his family for more than 30 years. I was honoured for him to ring me but I’ve been under a bit of pressure, we haven’t been firing a shot,” Noonan said.

“Tony thought that from that gate it would be best getting some cover and Damien gave him a lovely ride and he got a lovely track into the race and hit the line impressively.

“He’s a lovely big horse and he relaxed beautifully today so he’s heading in the right direction (to the Derby).”

Tutukaka a $250,000 Karaka yearling

The half-brother to 14-time Group One winner Melody Belle was purchased by his trainer for $250,000 out of Haunui Farm draft at the 2020 NZB Yearling Sale at Karaka.

He is the third winner from five to race out of the Iffraaj mare Meleka Belle a descendent of New Zealand's prolific "Belle" family.

The Written Tycoon Syndicate purchased her record-breaking daughter Melody Belle for $2,600,000 at the recent National broodmare Sale.

Bred and raced by Marie Leicester, Meleka Belle was the 15th and final named foal from the Sir Tristram mare Empress Belle.

Meleka Belle has a 2yo filly by Snitzel named My Annie Belle and was covered by Pierro last spring.

Advertisment

Race Result - Roderick Ins. Geelong Classic LR 2200m

Geelong Track: Good(4) Time: 2:16.90
1
Tutukaka
- 3g Tavistock (NZ) x Meleka Belle (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: Damian Lane 58
2
0.8
Character
- 3c Teofilo (IRE) x Monogram (AUS) (Medaglia D'Oro (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Fred W Kersley 57
3
3.3
Phere The Ex
- 3g Exosphere (AUS) x High Country (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: H Coffey 57
4
3.4
King Of Pharaohs
- 3c American Pharoah (USA) x Miss With Attitude (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: W Gordon 57
5
5.7
Grinzinger King
- 3c Domesday (AUS) x Dom Perion (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: John Allen 57
6
7.2
Daario
- 3g Real Impact (JPN) x Email Me (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: M Baker & A Forsman Rdr: Jye McNeil 57
7
14.2
Shabalala
- 3g Starcraft (NZ) x Durban (AUS) (Helenus (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Craig Williams 57
8
15.4
Max Fire
- 3g Star Turn (AUS) x Witwatersrand (IRE) (Unfuwain (USA))
Tnr: Travis Doudle Rdr: D Oliver 57
9
19.7
Magic Mikey
- 3g Zed (NZ) x Magic Tryst (NZ) (Magic Ring (IRE))
Tnr: S Foster Rdr: Declan Bates 57
10
23.4
Culloden Moor
- 3g Domesday (AUS) x Kilts (AUS) (Super Saver (USA))
Tnr: P G Carey Rdr: R Mc Leod 57
11
73.4
Celestial Fury
- 3g Savabeel (AUS) x Sister Celeste (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: B Mc Dougall 58
More Reading...
First Stakes Win for The Autumn Sun Half-Brother
The Listed Chantilly Grand Prix du Nord (2000m) in France overnight provided a first stakes win for blueblood Dubawi colt Azimpour, the half-brother to Champion Australian 3YO Colt and now G1 sire The Autumn Sun.
Day 1 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale 375,000 Guineas for August George
Smart two-year-old AUGUST GEORGE topped the opening day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale at Park Paddocks when selling for 375,000 guineas to Qatari trainer Gassim Ghazali, one of five lots to realise 200,000 guineas or more.
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale (November 12 and 13) is online with breeze up video now in place and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
Tavistock's Tutukaka to Target the Victoria Derby
Melody Belle's half-brother Tutukaka will target the Victoria Derby in the spring after breaking his maiden with little more than a working gallop in Saturday's Listed Tattersall's Life Member Stakes (1830m) at Eagle Farm.
Sires With Winners - Monday October 27
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$10 million Golden Eagle Field and Barrier Draw
The favourites have all fared well after the field and barrier draw was declared for the $10million Golden Eagle at Randwick this Saturday.
Famous Foal with Coolmore Stud Stakes Connections
The Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes this weekend is a race that has developed a deserved reputation as a sire making race and a foal image that arrived to the Breednet Foal Gallery on Monday is a colt with an undeniable connection to this pivotal race for the breeding industry.
Same Race - New Name- $1 million THE MOVE TO STRIKE THOROUGHBRED CLUB STAKES
First run in 1968 and previously featured on Caulfield Cup Day, the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes enters an exciting new era in 2025.
Maher and Waller Strike at Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale
Champion Australian trainers Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher have been active during the first session of the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale, which was topped last year by Sir Delius (GB) at 1.3million guineas.
Tara Talks Racing Podcast Online
We’re talking Cox Plate and whether Bucky can win the Cup, plus Godolphin colts, how can you not, they have had a fabulous spring and it’s not over yet!